Oregon seeks dismissal of megaloads petition

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) -- State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has asked a Marion County judge to dismiss a petition that seeks to keep megaloads off Oregon roads without more public say.

Megaload opponents contend the Department of Transportation failed to consider the public interest this winter when it allowed massive shipments of oil refinery equipment to go through Eastern Oregon from the Port of Umatilla.

State law allows ODOT to issue variance permits for oversize loads if the public interest will be served, but petitioners say the agency declined to give people an opportunity to comment.

According to the East Oregonian newspaper (http://is.gd/Uw2O64 ), Rosenblum's motion for dismissal says the issue is moot because the megaloads have already left Oregon. The motion also states the petitioners have no standing to challenge the permits.